The Divisional Secretary, Harispatthuwa vs Abusali Jeyilabdin Manafkin – CA PHC 44/2016-2021

In the case between The Divisional Secretary, Divisional Secretarial Office, Harispatthuwa (Applicant) and Abusali Jeyilabdin Manafkin (Respondent), the court addressed the issue of alleged unauthorized occupation of state land and the applicability of the State Lands (Recovery of Possession) Act for ejectment. The court held that service of the quit notice was properly effected in accordance with statutory requirements and that the only defense permissible under the Act—production of a valid permit or written authority—was not established by the respondent. It was determined that procedural objections, such as issues concerning the service of notice, must be raised at the earliest opportunity and cannot be introduced for the first time at the appellate or revisionary stage. This decision